As the Aug. 13 state primary approaches, hundreds of voters in Nicollet and Blue Earth Counties have already sent in their absentee ballots.
About 641 ballots have been accepted as of Friday in Blue Earth County, according to the county’s elections administrator Michael Stalberger.
As of Thursday, 125 ballots have been accepted in Nicollet County.
As of Thursday, Blue Earth County has sent out just over 6,880 mail and absentee ballots while Nicollet County has sent out just over 3,020.
Early voting started on June 28th this year for the primary, where voters will narrow down their picks for U.S. Senate and congressional seats.
U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad, R-1st Dist., has primary challenges from Gregory A. Goetzman of Rochester and Shawn Tweten of Mankato. Rachel Bohman of Rochester is the sole DFLer running.
Incumbent Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D, has several other challengers for her seat.
Voters can request a mail ballot online at the Secretary of State’s website and can drop off ballots through the mail or in-person.
Nicollet County voters can drop ballots off or vote early in-person at the Nicollet County Courthouse, located at 501 S. Minnesota Ave., county Property and Public Services Director Jaci Kopet said.
“Even though the courthouse is under construction, we still have staff in the atrium area that they can drop off their ballot if they choose to drop it off,” she said.
Blue Earth County voters can go to the Blue Earth County Historic Courthouse located at 204 S. 5th St., Mankato.
Voters can return their ballots no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day to the election office that sent their ballot.
The Secretary of State’s website also has sample ballots available to view online.